IBM's New Linux Advertising

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Posted by ryuzaki0 on Thursday September 4, 2003 @08:44AM from the big-blue's-big-bucks dept.

Amit Shah writes "IBM is airing a commercial featuring Linux as reported on Economic Times. This could be the first major way to reach out to normal users and explain the benefits of open source and Linux. The ad says, "Collecting data is only the first step toward wisdom, but sharing data is the first step toward community""

13 of 587 comments (clear)

Small print. by grub · 2003-09-04 08:47 · Score: 5, Funny

Last 12 frames of the ad, bottom left "Linux is (C) SCO and used without permission."

naw, I made that up.

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Trolling is a art,
Ah, but did you hear the disclaimer? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-04 08:48 · Score: 5, Funny

"Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Linux may contain intellectual property of SCO. Linux users may be liable for intellectual property infractions. Linux is not to be taken internally. If you have side effects after installing Linux, such as dryness of mouth or shortness of breath, discontinue use and consult a physician. Linux is not for all users. Not all Linux companies go up in value; some go down."
From the article by Feynman · 2003-09-04 08:48 · Score: 4, Funny

Such commercials . . . show how companies must explain the value of complex technology to consumers who may be unaware of the capabilities of their personal computers or mobile phones.
You mean I can make a phone call . . . from my car?!
SCO is running a commercial... by aurumaeus · 2003-09-04 08:48 · Score: 5, Funny

Letting other people collect the data, and then saying it's yours and suing everyone that has it without your permission, is the road to profitability.
Oh, I know, I know! by ArmenTanzarian · 2003-09-04 08:48 · Score: 5, Funny

He's nine years old, bright-eyed and hungry to learn. Meet Linux, or a human embodiment of the computer operating system, in a new television commercial by IBM.

Meet SCO, Linux's molester-uncle.
Not so cute. by CGP314 · 2003-09-04 08:49 · Score: 5, Funny

He's nine years old, bright-eyed and hungry to learn. Meet Linux, or a human embodiment of the computer operating system

I'm going to say it was a wise choice not to use Linus in the commercial.
When I was a kid by Sphere1952 · 2003-09-04 08:50 · Score: 4, Funny

Big Blue was the bad guy.

It feels kind of creepy to be cheering IBM on...

Go IBM!!!!

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Big Brother Bush is doubleplus ungood.
Missing the target by WinDoze · 2003-09-04 08:53 · Score: 5, Funny

In July, IBM reached a three-year sponsorship deal with the NFL.

They're going to advertise Linux during televised NFL games? Isn't that sort of like advertising beer during Oprah?
Missed oppurtunity by mao+che+minh · 2003-09-04 08:56 · Score: 4, Funny

I still say that IBM should have enlisted the Dell dude and the Mac gal together for an unequalled, ground breaking, paradigm changing media blitz.
Just picture the two of them together, stoned out of their gourds, with a guy in a big penguin suit behind them.
Once Upon A Time... by tds67 · 2003-09-04 08:58 · Score: 5, Funny

"Collecting data is only the first step toward wisdom, but sharing data is the first step toward community," Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr advises the boy in the ad...
...who later grew up and, upon reaching manhood, was promptly sued by the RIAA, MPAA and SCO for sharing data with the rest of the community.
Forgot one of the main purposes of Linux by Bingo+Foo · 2003-09-04 09:00 · Score: 4, Funny

The ad says, "Collecting data is only the first step toward wisdom, but sharing data is the first step toward community"
Are you sure that's not: Collecting data is only the first step toward wisdom, but re-theming your desktop a dozen times while your kernel compiles is the death of productivity."

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taken! (by Davidleeroth) Thanks Bingo Foo!
Penguin! by MrHanky · 2003-09-04 09:55 · Score: 4, Funny

It's just a beta! The real text (voiceover) is as follows:

If Linux were a penguin, it would be growing, fast. Taught by the best. Gaining wisdom between its ears. And sharing. It would be in business, education, government and homes. It would be a nine-year-old penguin chasing the world. So be afraid. Be very afraid.

The video will be showing the little kid getting slapped around the head by a 2 meter tall penguin.
Re:Quite so! by clem · 2003-09-04 12:34 · Score: 5, Funny

You're refering to holes in Apache, not Linus

I think Linus's holes are of concern only to Linus and his physician.

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